Articles tagged with: Lenalidomide
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European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 3 in a series, summarizes the guidelines for the management of Revlimid-related side effects. Part 1 describes the guidelines for the management of Velcade-related side effects, Part 2 summarizes the guidelines for thalidomide-related side effects, and Part 4 covers the European experts’ recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient populations.
Management Of Revlimid-Related Side Effects
Low Platelet Counts:
Patients treated with
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Reduced-Dose Velcade-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Is Effective For Newly Diagnosed Myeloma – Recently published results from a French study show that the combination of reduced-dose Velcade (bortezomib) and thalidomide (Thalomid) plus dexamethasone (Decadron) is safer and more effective than standard-dose Velcade plus dexamethasone for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The results were previously presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in June 2010. Results showed that after four cycles of therapy, patients who received the reduced-dose three-drug combination had a significantly higher response rate and experienced fewer side effects than patients receiving the standard-dose regimen. The same group of patients continued to have a higher response rate after stem cell transplantation. For a more detailed summary of the results, please see the Beacon’s coverage of the ASCO presentation or the study in the journal Blood (abstract).
Phase 3 Clinical Trial Investigating The Need For Stem Cell Transplantation Is Recruiting Myeloma Patients – Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients under the age of 65 years are being recruited at various cancer centers across the United States for a Phase 3 clinical trial that will investigate whether stem cell transplants are necessary in the era of novel agents. All participants will be treated with a combination of Revlimid (lenalidomide), Velcade, and dexamethasone. Half of the patients will then also receive a stem cell transplant. Based on the results, researchers will determine whether stem cell transplantation significantly extends progression-free survival. For more information or to enroll, please see the clinical trial description.
Teleconference On Clinical Trial Participation – On Thursday, the International Myeloma Foundation will sponsor a teleconference about the importance of participating in clinical trials. Dr. Brian Durie, a myeloma specialist at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, will discuss the Phase 3 clinical trial comparing carfilzomib-Revlimid-dexamethasone and Revlimid-dexamethasone alone. The call will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PT. For more information, please see the International Myeloma Foundation website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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A group of international researchers analyzed the outcomes of multiple myeloma patients after they failed to respond to therapy with novel agents, such as Velcade, Revlimid, and thalidomide.
The study authors stated that the results will help physicians and patients better understand patients’ prognoses and select appropriate clinical trials.
“The study provides an estimate of the expected outcome among patients with myeloma that has stopped responding to the newly available drugs,” said Dr. Shaji Kumar from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and lead author of the study. “This will allow patients to …
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Results of a recent small Phase 2 study conducted in the Netherlands suggest that Revlimid maintenance therapy improves responses in multiple myeloma patients receiving “mini” donor stem cell transplants. However, the study authors also observed a rapid onset of graft-versus-host disease in these patients after the start of Revlimid treatment.
Based on these findings, the study authors recommended against Revlimid maintenance therapy for myeloma patients receiving “mini” donor stem cell transplants.
“Acute graft-versus-host disease is a life-threatening complication after donor stem cell transplantation, and our primary aim of the article was to …
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Protein May Interfere With Revlimid Doses In The Body – Results of a recent small Phase 1 clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of Revlimid (lenalidomide) in combination with Torisel (temsirolimus) suggest that P-glycoprotein, a protein that causes the removal of certain drugs from cells into the bloodstream, interferes with Revlimid dosing. High levels of P-glycoprotein in cancer cells may be the cause of drug resistance. The researchers observed higher than expected concentrations of Revlimid in the patients’ bloodstreams. Experiments in the lab showed that P-glycoprotein removed Revlimid from the cancer cells. The experiments also showed that the rate of removal was lower when Torisel was added to the experiments, which, according to the study authors, is evidence that the two drugs interact via P-glycoprotein. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (abstract) or the Ohio State University Medical Center press release.
Phase 2 Trial Of Carfilzomib For Multiple Myeloma Is Recruiting Patients – The Multiple Myeloma Clinical Research Section at the National Cancer Institute is recruiting participants for a Phase 2 trial to test the effectiveness of the investigational drug carfilzomib in combination with Revlimid and dexamethasone (Decadron) in newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Patients will receive eight 28-day treatment cycles. Those who show at least stable disease after the treatment may continue to receive 12 cycles of low-dose Revlimid maintenance therapy. In addition to current standard, clinical methods for determining responses to the drugs, the researchers will use new molecular methods to assess response and to detect minimal residual disease. To participate in the trial, please contact the research nurse, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or .
Chicago Area Workshop For Multiple Myeloma Patients – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation will hold a one-day educational workshop for myeloma patients and their family members on August 20 in Oak Brook, IL. The program will be led by Dr. Todd Zimmerman, a myeloma expert from the University of Chicago Medical Center. Throughout the day, myeloma experts will talk about treatments options for newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients, including stem cell transplants, supportive care options, and clinical trials. The specialists will also be available to answer questions. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and the program will last from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Hamburger University at the Hyatt Lodge. For more information or to register, please see the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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Novel agents, such as Velcade (bortezomib) and Revlimid (lenalidomide), have greatly advanced the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. Indeed, by incorporating novel agents as induction therapy prior to consolidation with high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, we have made huge strides in survival outcomes over the last 10 years. However, treatment with anti-myeloma agents may be associated with side effects that negatively impact quality of life.
Recently, two advances have been reported resulting in a decrease in peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing pain, numbness, and/or tingling in the …
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The results of a recent Phase 2 trial show that the addition of cyclophosphamide to Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone may result in better responses for previously untreated myeloma patients.
“This [study] provides the efficacy of another regimen for use in patients with myeloma,” said the study’s lead author Dr. Shaji Kumar of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “It is a fairly safe combination and is quite efficacious,” he stated in an e-mail to The Myeloma Beacon.
According to the study authors, the combination of Revlimid (lenalidomide), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and …
